let it come from
what quarter it would. Indeed, might it not be said of all the good
things obtained for the people, of all really serviceable reforms,
that they were gathered and garnered home in consequence of the
squabbles of Ministers? When men wanted power, either to grasp at
it or to retain it, then they offered bribes to the people. But in
the taking of such bribes there was no dishonesty, and he should
willingly take this bribe. Mr. Monk spoke also. He would not, he
said, feel himself justified in refusing the Address to the Crown
proposed by Ministers, simply because that Address was founded on the
proposition of a future reform, as to the expediency of which he had
not for many years entertained a doubt. He could not allow it to
be said of him that he had voted for the permanence of the Church
establishment, and he must therefore support the Government. Then
Ratler whispered a few words to his neighbour: "I knew the way he'd
run when Gresham insisted on poor old Mildmay's taking him into the
Cabinet." "The whole thing has gone to the dogs," said Bonteen. On
the fourth night the House was divided, and Mr. Daubeny was the owner
of a majority of fifteen.

Very many of the Liberal party expressed an opinion that the battle
had been lost through the want of judgment evinced by Mr. Gresham.
There was certainly no longer that sturdy adherence to their chief
which is necessary for the solidarity of a party. Perhaps no leader
of the House was ever more devoutly worshipped by a small number of
adherents than was Mr. Gresham now; but such worship will not support
power. Within the three days following the division the Ratlers had
all put their heads together and had resolved that the Duke of St.
Bungay was now the only man who could keep the party together. "But
who should lead our House?" asked Bonteen. Ratler sighed instead of
answering. Things had come to that pass that Mr. Gresham was the only
possible leader. And the leader of the House of Commons, on behalf
of the Government, must be the chief man in the Government, let the
so-called Prime Minister be who he may.

CHAPTER X

The Deserted Husband

Phineas Finn had been in the gallery of the House throughout the
debate, and was greatly grieved at Mr. Daubeny's success, though he
himself had so strongly advocated the disestablishment of the Church
in canvassing the electors of Tankerville. No doubt he had advocated
the cause,--but he had done so as an ad